Limestone Honored by S.C. Legislature

GAFFNEY, S.C. - The 2014 NCAA Division II Men's Lacrosse National Champion Saints of Limestone College have been honored by the South Carolina State Legislature with a Concurrent Resolution congratulating them on the third championship in program history and will be recognized at the South Carolina State Capitol in January when the legislature returns to session.

Sponsored by Republican representatives Dennis Moss (District 29, Cherokee, Chester & York Counties), Steve Moss (District 30, Cherokee & York Counties) and Eddie Tallon, Sr. (District 33, Spartanburg County), the resolution was introduced in both the House and the Senate on May 29 before being adopted by the General Assembly that same day.

"It is a great honor to present the great State of South Carolina with an NCAA National Championship in men's lacrosse," said head coach J.B. Clarke. "We appreciate our State General Assembly taking the time to recognize the accomplishments of our remarkable student-athletes."

Limestone went an NCAA Division II record 19-1 in 2014, capping off that incredible season with a 12-6 victory over No. 7 LIU Post on May 25, 2014 at 71,008 seat M&T Bank Stadium. It is the third title in team history, joining the 2000 and 2002 teams that defeated C.W. Post (now LIU Post) 10-9 and New York Tech 11-9, respectively. The team also led the nation in seven different categories and freshman faceoff specialist Kevin Reisman (West Babylon, N.Y.) led the country in groundballs per game (10.20), along with having a program record tying six United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association All-Americans.

The team will be recognized for all of their accomplishments prior to the start of the 2015 season when they will visit the State Capitol Building in January. The exact date of that visit is yet to be determined.

LIMESTONE CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
Limestone has now won a total of nine national championships, beginning with the 1984 men's golf team, and individual champion Chip Johnson, claiming NAIA Team and Individual Championships. In their NCAA Division II era, the Saints have claimed the two aforementioned lacrosse championships (2000 & 2002), wrestler Dan Scanlan won the 2008 184-lbs title while men's swimming has delivered three titles. The 2008 team of Chris Harrigan, Craig Jordens, Anders Melin and Goran Maljat won the the championship in the 200-yard freestyle relay while three of the four repeating the following year (Craig Jordens, Anders Melin, Goran Maljat) with Matt Parsonage swimming the opening leg of that championship effort. Maljat earned the program's only individual title in the 50-yard freestyle that same season.

SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
The full text of the South Carolina Legislature's Concurrent Resolution is below and a direct link can be found at the top of the page.
- - - - -
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE LIMESTONE COLLEGE MEN'S LACROSSE TEAM, COACHES, AND COLLEGE OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2014 NCAA DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is pleased to learn that the members of the Limestone College men's lacrosse team of Cherokee County took top honors at the NCAA Division II competition at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on Sunday, May 25, 2014; and

Whereas, to the delight of their fans, the Limestone College Saints faced off against Long Island University, defeating their opponents 12-6 and capturing the lacrosse team's third national title; and

Whereas, in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II men's lacrosse playoffs on Sunday, May 18, 2014, the Saints defeated the University of Tampa 14-10 at Saints Field in Gaffney; and

Whereas, Limestone midfielder and sophomore Mike Messenger scored four goals against Tampa with assistance from Josh Williams and Colton Watkinson, helping their team to the semi-final victory on the way to the championship tournament; and

Whereas, in the championship game of the NCAA Division II, Limestone's Vinny Ricci scored four goals, while teammate Billy Koelmel picked up a groundball for the Saints, who posted a championship season with a 19-1 record; and

Whereas, in a sport that demands quickness and agility, strategy and strength, Head Coach J. B. Clarke and his skilled coaching staff capitalized on their own athletic ability and training to forge a championship team and teach these athletes lessons that will prove invaluable through life both on and off the field; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly appreciate the pride and recognition that the Limestone lacrosse players have brought to their college and their community and look to hear of their continued accomplishments in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Limestone College men's lacrosse team, coaches, and college officials for an outstanding season and congratulate them for winning the 2014 NCAA Division II Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Coach J. B. Clarke.